Call for Abstracts

Submissions to present at the Heads of Student Administration Conference is now open from the 2nd February 2026.
Submissions will be accepted until Sunday, 8th March 2026.

Submit Your Abstract

The 2026 HoSA Conference Organising Committee invites submissions of abstracts for the 2026 HoSA conference program.  

Our conference theme is Future Ready.

We will explore how our student administration systems, processes, workforce, and experiences can be aligned with the future needs of our students, staff, institutions, regulators, and all stakeholders. We will come together to share innovative practice and approaches, collaborate, and consider how the important work we lead ensures the future success of our students and our institutions.

The organising committee welcomes submissions that respond to one of the following sub-themes:

i. Future ready student administration operations – demonstrating innovation in technology*, systems*, policy, process or service

ii. Future ready student administration workforce: best practice in developing and leading the student administration workforce of the future

iii. Future ready student administration partnerships: impactful collaboration and connection that delivers success (for example, with students, with staff, with internal and external partners*)

*Submissions which focus on partnership with technology or service vendors must ensure the proposed presentation content is relevant to all institutions. To ensure the best delegate experience, sessions must feature applicable takeaways and learnings about becoming Future Ready which are solution-agnostic. Sales-focussed sessions are not permitted, and abstracts that feature co-presentations with vendors must address these requirements within the proposal.

Presentation types

All sessions will be 40 minutes (30 minutes plus 10 minutes Q&A). Proposals for the following session formats are sought. 

  • Best Practice Presentation

    • Present on an initiative that has made you, your team, or your institution Future Ready. Share the outcomes of what you have achieved, your advice for others who may be embarking on similar developments or have similar ambitions.

  • Reflective or research-based Presentation

    • Present your research findings or learnings related to being Future Ready in your operations, services, workforce, or partnerships.

  • Interactive session or Mini-Panel

    • Lead a discussion where participants can share what they are doing that is Future Ready in relation to a particular process, service, or function in student administration. Present the context and overview and prepare some questions for a structured discussion among participants

      or

    • Moderate a mini panel. Invite panellists from different institutions who you know have varied approaches to a particular process or services. Panel members should be invited to deliver a brief overview of their institutional approach, and then you will moderate a Q&A.  

  • Skills development workshop 

    • Share your expertise with participants, giving them a chance to learn new skills that will help them and their teams become Future Ready.

  • Connection and networking session

    • We know that delegates at the HoSA conference gain so much from making professional connections. Host a fun, interactive activity that allows delegates to connect with one another, to help develop a Future Ready network.  

Notes for submissions:

-> Submissions with multiple presenters, including presenters across universities, are welcome.

-> The Organising Committee may assign topics to any of these formats, but in making a submission, you should indicate your preference.

-> Submissions should be made using the HoSA 2026 Abstract Submission Portal.

-> A step-by-step guide on how to use the Submission Portal can be downloaded here.

-> Any queries about presentations or the submission process can be directed to the conference organiser via email to hosa@conferencenational.com.au

Presenter Registration

If your submission is accepted for presentation, you must register for the conference. Early Bird discounted rates will apply for all accepted applicants.

First time presenters are warmly encouraged to submit, and guidance on preparation and financial support (such as discounted registration) may be provided to these presenters on request and at the discretion of the Organising Committee.